Vinyl floors are beautiful when new. But soon, normal wear, and things that happen here and there, leave rips and gouges, burns and tears, that need attention and repairs.If you have one or more tiles to replace, removing the vinyl tile -- one or a whole floor -- can be difficult and messy when you use a heat gun and chisel. Instead, lay a cloth down over one tile at a time, and iron with slow, firm strokes. In a minute or two, the tile will easily lift up.Then repeat as needed. If youâre replacing with self-stick tiles, theyâll go in easier and hold better if the adhesive is activated with heat.Use a hairdryer or warm sunlight (if available) until theyâre pliable. Then, peel and stick.For holes, gouges and tears in tile or linoleum, shave a thin top layer off a matching scrap.Grind or chop it into tiny pieces, mix with clear urethane paint and fill it into the damaged area and let it dry.In 1859, Edwin Drake brought in the world's first oil-producing well in Titusville, Pa. Ever since, we've used his discovery for almost everything imaginable --notably in and for our automobiles. These days, we find traces of Drake's discovery on the garage floor.Some are red, some green, while yet others are dark and greasy or clear and thin. We know something's leaking, but what is it that's leaking and what does it mean?Here's how to use yesterday's news for a do-it-yourself auto diagnosis. Before you pull into the garage, cover the floor with newspaper.The next morning, after you back out, check the spots. Dark greasy droplets indicate an oil leak.Clear oily stains might be brake fluids. Red drips are probably transmission fluid, and greenish puddles are anti-freeze in the coolant.Check the overnight drips for volume and color.Bonus Tip:Cleaning Disposals:For the most part, garbage disposals are self-cleaning and virtually maintenance free.However, a malfunctioning garbage disposal can mean a messy headache, but one that can be avoided. Here are some ideas to keep your unit in good working order. Always run cold water when grinding in order to move the waste all the way through the drain lines. Fats and grease congeal and harden in cold water which can then be flushed through the system. Don't use hot water when grinding because it can dissolve fats and grease, which may then accumulate in the drain line.Almost all biodegradable food waste can be fed into disposals. However, do not throw down the disposal clam or oyster shells, corn husks or other material with a high fiber content. Under no circumstances should you put glass, plastic or metal non-food materials through a disposal.This includes bottle caps, tin covers or aluminum foil--these are some of the items service technicians commonly find in clogged or broken disposals. Maintenance is easy. Grinding small bones and egg shells actually helps clean the disposal by scraping away stubborn deposits or citric acid and pulp. Grinding a little ice is another way to clean out deposits and get rid of odors.And that's the tip of the week from Island Tackle & Hardware.